Multicultural Doll

ABSTRACT

A multicultural interactive doll having a mixed race pigmentation. The interactive doll assembly comprises a doll body constructed to perform a variety of ballet moves and positions. The interactive doll assembly further comprises an audio component and a control component. A plurality of pre-programmed phrases relating to ballet moves and positions is stored in a memory of the control component. The plurality of pre-programmed phrases are triggered by an activating button and played over a speaker integrated into the interactive doll assembly. The interactive doll assembly further comprises a positioning element for moving the doll body between the ballet moves and positions. The doll body is configured to interact with a ballet barre.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/977,818, which was filed on Feb. 18, 2020 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to a multicultural doll, and more specifically to a movable and interactive biracial ballerina doll. Accordingly, the present specification makes specific reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally amenable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

Mixed race refers to an individual whose ethnic background is made up of two or more races (any different races). They can also be referred to as biracial (two races), multiracial (three or more), multiple heritage (which places an emphasis more on the mix of cultures that make up who they are and would include people who may appear to be one race, but originate from two different cultures (e.g. someone who has mixed Jamaican and African American ancestry). Unfortunately, race, income, social hierarchies and other factors oftentimes conspire to create a situation that excludes people of color from the serious pursuit of dance and, more specifically, ballet dance.

In the United States, the 2000 Census questionnaire was the first to allow respondents to select more than one race. In 2000, nationwide, approximately 2.4 percent of the population (i.e., over 6.8 million Americans) marked an identification with two or more races. Today, multiracial individuals have expanded even further, and are found in every corner of the country. In the United States; multiracial groups include, without limitation, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Métis Americans, Louisiana Creoles, and several other communities found throughout the United States. Additionally, many Native Americans are multiracial in ancestry, while also identifying fully as members of federally recognized native tribes.

By way of background, ballet is a type of performance dance that originated during the Italian Renaissance in the fifteenth century, and later developed into a concert dance form in France and Russia. Ballet has since become a widespread, highly technical form of dance with its own vocabulary, much of which is based on French terminology. Ballet has been globally influential, and has defined the foundational techniques used in many other dance genres and cultures. Ballet has been taught in various schools around the world, which have historically incorporated their own cultures and, as a result, the art of ballet has evolved in a number of distinct ways. Unfortunately, the number of minority ballet dancers does not mirror the number of minorities in the general population, as most ballet companies and their audiences tend to be overwhelmingly Caucasian and middle to upper-class. The numbers for mixed race or biracial dancers is even lower.

Diversity and inclusion is important for people of all ages, but especially young children. Without representation in toys, media, music, cultural events, etc., young biracial, multicultural, and minority children may feel inferior and less talented than their mainstream counterparts. Gaps in diversity and inclusion amongst children can widen and create social barriers that are difficult to process and overcome at any age. Financial barriers, such as being unable to afford dance lessons or attend the ballet, can keep these young children from ever seeing a professional performance or becoming a professional dancer. The doll of the present invention will add a personal, kind, and enthusiastic incentive for beginning dancers, while also introducing them to the basics of ballet.

In this manner, the multicultural doll of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, thereby providing a solution for the lack of representation in toys, media, music, cultural events for biracial or multiracial children. The multicultural doll provides users with a movable, interactive ballerina doll featuring a biracial or mixed race skin color. The doll features multiple interactive components that allow the doll to dance, thereby showcasing the art of ballet dancing. The multicultural doll functions as a teaching tool for young children just beginning to learn about dance. The multicultural doll further allows biracial or multicultural children the opportunity to play with a doll that looks more like them, thereby offering a way to improve diversity in toys (and dolls in particular), and in the performing arts for young children.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an interactive and multicultural doll assembly. The interactive doll assembly has a mixed or biracial skin pigmentation, and comprises a doll body. The doll body comprises a torso, a head, a pair of arms, and a pair of legs pivotally each connected by a plurality of joints configured so that the doll body can be positioned and repositioned in a variety of different ballet positions. Each of the pair of arms further comprises a hand, and each hand is configured to be able to grip an object.

The interactive doll assembly further comprises an audio component. The audio component comprises an activating button and a speaker. The audio component is integrated into the doll body. The interactive doll assembly further comprises a control component integrated into the doll body. The control component comprises a memory. A plurality of preprogrammed phrases related to ballet are storable in the memory. Stimulation of the activating button directs the control component to allow the speaker to audibly emit the plurality of preprogrammed phrases. The interactive doll assembly further comprises a positioning component. The positioning component comprises a positioning activating element. Once pressed, the positioning activating element directs positioning and repositioning of the doll body between the variety of different ballet positions.

The interactive doll assembly further comprises a ballet barre. The ballet barre is constructed to be interactable with the doll body. The ballet barre comprises a securing mechanism. The securing mechanism allows the ballet barre to engage a surface so that it is fixed to support the doll body. As the doll body is positioned and repositioned in the variety of different ballet positions, the ballet barre is able to be engaged by each hand of the doll body and provide support to the doll body.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a child playing with one potential embodiment of an interactive doll assembly of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of one potential embodiment of the interactive doll assembly of the present invention and in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of one potential embodiment of the interactive doll assembly of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 4 illustrates a close up view of an audio component of one potential embodiment of the interactive doll assembly of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of a control component interacting with the audio component of one potential embodiment of the interactive doll assembly of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 6 illustrates a rear perspective view of a positioning component of one potential embodiment of the interactive doll assembly of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 7 illustrates a close up view of the positioning component of one potential embodiment of the interactive doll assembly of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a doll body of the interactive doll assembly of the present invention in a ballet position and in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 8B illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment the doll body of the interactive doll assembly of the present invention in a different ballet position and in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 8C illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment the doll body of the interactive doll assembly of the present invention in a different ballet position and in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They do not intend as an exhaustive description of the invention or do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

The present invention in one exemplary embodiment is an interactive, movable ballerina doll featuring a biracial or mixed race skin pigmentation to function as a diverse and inclusive toy for young children who may not always be represented in toys, the media, etc. The interactive doll assembly functions as a teaching tool for young children, especially children of color or mixed race backgrounds, getting into dance. A doll body may feature a unique style. Interchangeable outfits may be used to adjust the look of the doll body. The exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications may vary upon manufacturing.

The interactive doll assembly utilizes a speaker to play audio when the doll's hand is squeezed allowing the doll to repeat several preprogrammed phrases and praises associated with ballet positions while playing with the interactive doll assembly. The interactive doll assembly is capable of offering praise to a child playing with the interactive doll assembly for further interaction. Overall, the interactive doll assembly promotes diversity and inclusion while teaching children about ballet.

The interactive doll assembly may feature multiple activation buttons on the back of a doll body or on a remote control which can be pressed to enable the doll to perform various ballet dance moves and positions. When a button is pressed, the doll body executes the position or talks a child through a position. The interactive doll assembly further comprises a ballet barre that the doll body may interact with and grasp with its hands to move between positions for added functionality when performing ballet moves. The ballet barre can have suction cups to hold the barre in place while the doll body performs the dance moves.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an interactive doll assembly 100. The interactive doll assembly 100 is constructed having a biracial or mixed race skin pigmentation. The interactive doll assembly 100 comprises a doll body 102 and an audio component 134 as illustrated in FIG. 4. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the doll body 102 comprises a torso 104, a head 106, a pair of arms 108, and a pair of legs 112. Each arm 108 comprises a hand 110. Each hand 110 is configured so as to be able to grip. Each of the pair of legs 112 comprises a foot 114.

The torso 104, the head 106, the pair of arms 108, the pair of legs 112, the hands 110, and the feet 114 may be pivotally connected by a plurality of joints 116. The plurality of joints 116 are pivot regions and may be articulatable. The plurality of joints 116 comprise: a neck 118 movably connecting the head 106 to the torso 104, a waist 120 movably connecting the pair of legs 112 to the torso 104, and a pair of shoulders 112 movably connecting pair of arms 108 to the torso 104. The plurality of joints 116 may further comprise: a pair of elbows 124 articulating the pair of arms 108, a pair of knees 128 articulating the pair of legs 112, a pair of wrists 126 movably connecting the pair of arms 108 and the pair of hands 110, and a pair of ankles 130 movably connecting the pair of legs 112 and the pair of feet 114. While the dimensions of the doll body 102 are variable, one embodiment includes a doll body 102 of approximately twelve inches in height.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the audio component 134 is integrated into the doll body 102. The audio component 134 comprises an activating button 136 and a speaker 138. The activating button 136 is coupled to and is in electrical communication with the speaker 138. The activating button 136 may be integrated anywhere in the doll body 102, however the activating button 136 is typically integrated into one of the pair of arms 108 or one of the pair of hands 110. This allows the child to simply squeeze one of the hands 110 thereby activating the audio component 134. The speaker 138 is similarly may be integrated anywhere in the doll body 102.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the interactive doll assembly 100 further comprises a control component 140 and a power source 144. The control component 140 comprises a memory 142. The memory 142 is used to store a plurality of preprogrammed audible phrases related to ballet. The power source 144 is typically an embedded or removable battery. The control component 140, the battery 144, and the audio component 134 are all electrically connected, such as via a circuit. When the user presses the activating button 136 of the audio component 134, the control component 140 sends one of the plurality of preprogrammed audible phrases to the speaker 138 where it is audibly emitted.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the interactive doll assembly 100 further comprises a positioning component 146. The positioning component 146 comprises a positioning activating element 148, such as a plurality of position switches for moving and repositioning the doll body 102. The position activating element 148 may be integrated anywhere in the doll body 102, however the position activating element 148 is typically integrated into a back of the torso 104. The positioning component 146 is used to move the doll body 102 between a plurality of ballet positions as illustrated in FIGS. 8A-C. The positioning component 146 may further comprise a drive mechanism (not shown) as is known to one of skill in the art for moving components of a doll. The positioning component 146 may be electrically operable, mechanically operable, or a combination thereof. As the doll body 102 is moved between the plurality of ballet positions, a corresponding preprogrammed audible phrase is played through the speaker 138.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the interactive doll assembly 100 may further comprise a ballet barre 152. The ballet barre 152 is engageable by the doll body 102. For example, one or both of the gripping hands 110 may grip the ballet barre 152 to support the doll body 102 in a variety of the plurality of ballet positions. The ballet barre 152 may comprise a securing mechanism 154. The securing mechanism 154 may be a pair of suction cups, or similar securing elements, that can engage and bind or secure the ballet barre 152 to a surface such as a tabletop or floor.

In one embodiment, the child may move the plurality of joints 116 of the doll body 102 or press one of the position activating elements 148 of the positioning element 146 to move the doll body 102 between the plurality of ballet positions with or without using the ballet barre 152 for support. The child would then squeeze a hand 110 of the doll body 102 enabling the activating button 136 to send a signal to the control component 140. The control component 140 then accesses the memory 142 and selects one of the preprogrammed plurality of audible phrases related to ballet which is sent to the speaker 138 for audibly broadcasting the phrase or word to the child. The child may further select one of a plurality of ballet outfits or costumes for application to the doll body 102. This allows the child to further customize the interactive doll assembly 100 to provide a better experience. As such, the interactive doll assembly 100 may further the child's education about ballet and provide a more diverse depiction of the art of ballet.

Alternatively, is also contemplated that the child may cause the plurality of joints 116 of the doll body 102 to articulate via a wireless remote control device. The positioning component 146 would be a separate remote control with the position activating elements 148 on the remote control not integrated into the doll body 102. The child would operate the remote control to move the interactive doll assembly 100 between the plurality of ballet positions 132A-C. Movements would be fluid and smooth without the need for the child to touch the doll body 102. The remote control would also operate the audio component 134 to sends one of the plurality of preprogrammed audible phrases to the speaker 138. The plurality of preprogrammed audible phrases could allow the child to play a command game similar to Simon Says, but with ballet moves.

It is contemplated that the interactive doll assembly 100 constructed in accordance with the present invention will be tailored and adjusted by those of ordinary skill in the art to accommodate various levels of performance demand imparted during actual use. Accordingly, while this invention has been described by reference to certain specific embodiments and examples, it will be understood that this invention is capable of further modifications. This application is, therefore, intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the invention following the general principles thereof, and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and fall within the limits of the appended claims.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the interactive doll assembly 100 of the present invention and its various structural components can be of any suitable size, shape, and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the shape and size of the interactive doll assembly 100 and its various components and material, as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other shapes and sizes of the interactive doll assembly 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the interactive doll assembly 100 are important design parameters, the interactive doll assembly 100 and its components may be of any shape or size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits user need and/or preference.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An interactive doll assembly having a mixed race pigmentation comprising: a doll body comprising a torso, a head, a pair of arms, and a pair of legs pivotally connected by a plurality of joints; an audio component integrated into the doll body; and a control component in communication with the audio component.
 2. The interactive doll assembly of claim 1, wherein the control component configured to send a plurality of stored audible phrases to the audio component.
 3. The interactive doll assembly of claim 1 further comprising a positioning component for moving the doll body.
 4. The interactive doll assembly of claim 3, wherein the positioning component comprises at least one activating element for repositioning the doll body.
 5. The interactive doll assembly of claim 1, wherein the audio component comprises an activating button and a speaker.
 6. The interactive doll assembly of claim 5, wherein the activating button is integrated into one of the pair of arms.
 7. The interactive doll assembly of claim 1 further comprising a ballet barre engageable by the doll body.
 8. An interactive doll assembly having a mixed race pigmentation comprising: a doll body comprising a torso, a head, a pair of arms, and a pair of legs pivotally connected by a plurality of joints; an audio component integrated into the doll body; a control component configured to send a plurality of stored audible phrases to the audio component; and a positioning component for moving the doll body between a plurality of ballet positions.
 9. The interactive doll assembly of claim 8, wherein the audio component comprises an activating button and a speaker.
 10. The interactive doll assembly of claim 9, wherein each of the pair of arms comprises a hand configured to grip.
 11. The interactive doll assembly of claim 10, wherein the activating button is integrated into one of the hands.
 12. The interactive doll assembly of claim 8, wherein the control component comprises a memory.
 13. The interactive doll assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of stored audible phrases correspond to the plurality of ballet positions.
 14. The interactive doll assembly of claim 8 further comprising a power source in electrical communication with the control component.
 15. An interactive doll assembly having a mixed race pigmentation comprising: a doll body comprising a torso, a head, a pair of arms, and a pair of legs pivotally connected by a plurality of joints; an audio component integrated into the doll body; a control component configured to send a plurality of stored audible phrases to the audio component; a positioning component for moving the doll body between a plurality of ballet positions; and a ballet barre engageable by the doll body.
 16. The interactive doll assembly of claim 15, wherein the audio component comprises an activating button and a speaker.
 17. The interactive doll assembly of claim 15, wherein the control component comprises a memory.
 18. The interactive doll assembly of claim 15, wherein the ballet barre comprises a securing mechanism for securing the ballet barre to a surface.
 19. The interactive doll assembly of claim 18, wherein the securing mechanism is a pair of suction cups.
 20. The interactive doll assembly of claim 15, wherein each of the pair of arms comprises a hand configured to grip the ballet barre. 